Monday morning coronavirus update

* Bethan Mascarenhas, pictured last year with her brother Richard with whom she runs the Old Vicarage and Barclays business manager Philip Cawley, has a stark message for people visiting Llangollen. 

The latest report on Facebook by Cat Meade at the Llangollen Coronavirus Help Group shows how strongly the efforts are going to assist those likely to be worst hit by the outbreak.

She says: “Volunteering by commercials at its best, donations from Frankie & Bennies, Horseshoe Pass holiday lets, cooked by Steve and team at The Swan Inn, Pontfadog, collected and back to foodshare by Llangollen Kebab Pizza Palace. 150 fresh soup going out to elderly, those in need.

“Steve has kindly offered to assist with any batch cooking in the coming weeks, if any restaurants/pubs that may have stock needing using please get in touch.”

In a separate post she adds: “Mon 23^rd, 11am-12 noon: The Food Share will be at Pengwern Community Centre giving out fresh soups, bread and milk to those that need it. Wash hands, stay apart & bring a bag please.

“If you are unable to attend due to self isolating please msg me before 9.30am and we will get it to you via our lovely volunteers.”

Blue Bay Launderette in Regent Street posted on Sunday: “During these unprecedented times we understand that the launderette is a vital community resource and we endeavour to remain open as much as possible. However, the harsh reality of the situation is making us have to change our approach to how we deal with things over the coming weeks in order to minimise the spread of the virus.

“Next week we will only be open Monday, Wednesday & Friday.

“Hopefully this will allow people to still get there laundry done but condense people’s movement within the community to 3 days rather than 6 days.”

Llangollen Barbershop posted: "With everything that is happening in the world at this moment in time we have come to the very hard decision to close the shop due to the very close contact we have with our customers and for the safety of our staff their familys and also our customers and loved ones we havnt been here long but have met a lot of very nice people and would like to welcome you all back when we all get through this sad time how ever long it is please keep an eye on our page and as soon as we are safely allowed to re-open we will let you know so from emma and lee please be safe and healthy and look forward to seeing you all soon."

The Three Eagles, meanwhile, posted yesterday that it was closing its kitchen due to the virus restrictions.

Yesterday, a row raged on social media about the number of visitors still coming to Llangollen and other tourist spots in North Wales despite government advice on the dangers of travelling.

Bethan Mascarenhas, owner of the Old Vicarage care home, had this stark message on Facebook: “Do they need it writing in crayons? STAY AT HOME, for the love of god and those who are at risk, it may be fatal.

“For those of us in the health and social care sector, we are taking GIGANTIC measures to safeguard those in our care.

“We are giving up ALL social activities to ensure those in our care have limited risk, people working frontline at hospitals are living in hotels so they have no contact and are completely isolated from everyone they love, just to look after the well-being and health of those they work with - what is the point, if other people aren’t doing the same? You’re posing a huge risk to our country and the ever rising death rates.

“Please, please just stay at home. The sooner this is done the sooner you can go to the beach, or hike up Snowdonia. Now is NOT the time to do it and it’s prolonging this distressing time.”

Cath and Simon at the Cambrian House B&B posted: “COVID-19 – INFORMATION FOR GUESTS.

“Following government advice that all hospitality venues are to temporarily close from 20th March until further notice. We have cancelled all bookings for the next month and will continue to do so until the government say it is safe to re-open. People's health is more important than profit and we all need to look after each other, stopping people travelling to the area.

“We would like to thank our guests and people in the community for all their support and hopefully we can get through this difficult time.

“Keep safe & think of others.”

A post yesterday by a popular provider of accommodation shows how hard the virus scare is hitting the  area’s vital tourist industry.

The Davies family, who run the Coed-y-Glyn Log Cabins at Glyndyfrdwy, posted on Facebook: “Due to the current outbreak of Covid-19 we have decided to close until May 1st. We will continue to review our position as the situation develops.

“It is with regret that we have had to take this action and it will, of course, have an impact on our partners and other local business. But as an independent family business we feel it’s the right thing to do and to help do our bit to bring this pandemic to end and help protect, not only our staff and guests but also our local community.

“If you were due to stay with us in this period you would have received an email detailing that you will be able to move your booking. There is no risk of any 2020 bookings with us not being issued a credit note to use on a future booking in the event of closure.

“At this difficult time we feel it is all of our responsibility to do what we can to minimise the spread of this terrible virus.”